SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Top seeded and defending softball national champion University of Science & Arts (Okla.) used a pair of extra-base hits in the bottom of the third inning for a come-from-behind victory against No. 8-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College 4-1 on Friday afternoon in a winner’s bracket contest at the 2019 NAIA World Series.
All of the game’s runs were scored in the exciting third inning.
GGC (43-15) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the frame when senior Aubree Cox lined a RBI triple that brought home freshman Sydney Pelaez.
However, Science & Arts (57-2) came back in the bottom of the inning. First, a two-run double from Destinie Lookout gave the team a 2-1 lead. Then, Randa Hatter hit a two-run home run later in the frame to extend the lead even farther.
GGC would bring the go-ahead run to the plate in the top of the ninth inning. Base hits by Pelaez and senior Elyssa Melton and a walk to Cox loaded the bases. However, junior RaeQuinn Rossetti lined out to shortstop to end the game.
The Grizzlies outhit the Drovers by a 6-to-5 margin, including two hits from Pelaez.
Turning Point
Science & Arts scored four runs in the third inning after the Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the inning. Destinie Lookout drove in two runs with a double before Randa Hatter connected on a two-run home run.
Key Plays
Top of Third
Aubree Cox hit a RBI triple to bring home Sydney Pelaez and give the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead
Bottom of Third
Destinie Lookout drove in two runs with a double as the Drovers took a 2-1 lead
Randa Hatter connected on a two-run home run to account for the final two runs in the game
Top of Seventh
RaeQuinn Rossetti lined out to shortstop, with the bases loaded, to end the game
Inside The Numbers
- The Grizzlies outhit Science & Arts by a 6-to-5 margin
- GGC left six runners on the base paths in the contest
- Freshman Sydney Pelaez collected two hits for the Grizzlies
- Senior Taylor Hansis recorded five strikeouts, but suffered her first loss of postseason play
News & Notes
- GGC falls to 43-15 on the season; Science & Arts improves to 57-2 in 2019
- Georgia Gwinnett College was the No. 8 seed in the double-elimination World Series bracket; Science & Arts, the defending national champions, stood as the No. 1 seed
- The Grizzlies are making their second straight appearances in the NAIA World Series; and second in program history
- Both meetings with Science & Arts have come at the World Series, and both games were decided by 4-1 scores
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College plays on Saturday, May 25, at 7 p.m. central time in an elimination-bracket game against the winner of Friday night’s contest between No. 6-seeded Valley City State (N.D.) and No. 10 Oregon Tech.